Long-awaited
adj.hopeful, joyfulwarm
What it means
Wanted or expected for a considerable time before finally arriving.
Reach for it when marking the welcome end of a meaningful wait
The long-awaited footbridge reopened just before the school term.
Choose between these
6- everyday
at last
the sentence needs emotional relief rather than an adjective
not when At last changes the grammar and can sound dramatic for routine timing.
- warm
eagerly awaited
people's active desire during the wait deserves emphasis
not when Eagerly awaited focuses on feeling, not duration.
- professional
forthcoming
the event is expected soon but has not happened
not when Forthcoming is premature once the awaited thing has arrived.
- professional
overdue
the event should have happened earlier
not when Overdue carries criticism, while long-awaited can be purely celebratory.
- formal
belated
the arrival came later than proper or promised
not when Belated is apologetic and does not show that people wanted the event.
- formal
much-anticipated
public expectation and excitement are central
not when Much-anticipated need not involve a long delay.
Said against
3- unexpected
- premature
- unwanted
It naturally appears in
3- long-awaited return
The long-awaited return of the night train drew a crowd.
- long-awaited news
Long-awaited news of the permit arrived on Friday.
- long-awaited reunion
A long-awaited reunion brought three generations together.